Durban – News photographer Bongani Mbatha has been shot dead after he answered a knock on his door only to be met with a hail of bullets from an assailant.
The 51-year-old lensman was shot dead at his home in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal.
IOL reports that: “According to preliminary information gunmen knocked on Mbathas door and when he opened the door, shot him dead”.
Shelley Kjonstad, Independent Medias KZN photographic editor, told IOL that “they were in great shock”.
IOL quoted Kjonstad as saying: This is a deep loss to everyone who knew Bongani. He was not only one of the most hard-working photographers but was one of the kindest people.
Commenting on the cold-blooded murder, the Office of the Zulu King on Wednesday said it, “sends its deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Bongani Mbatha a very talented yet humble photographer from Independent Media”.
The Office of the King added: “On behalf of the King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, we pray to God Almighty to grant the family strength during this difficult period.
“Mr. Mbatha will be remembered for his extraordinary talent that enabled him to capture the reburial of Queen Thomozile Jezangani Ndwandwe, the mother of the late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini in 2011.
“We recall that Mr. Mbatha went on to capture and document the unveiling of the tombstone of the grandmother of the Zulu King in 2017.
“He was one of the leading photographers during the unveiling of the Cato Manor Museum, which includes the grave of Queen Thomozile.”
The unveiling marked the completion of the first phase of a park that will ultimately include a hotel and restaurants.
The Office of the King said: “Fast forward to 2022, Mr. Mbatha captured the reigning King Misuzulu KaZwelithini paying his respect to his late grandmother Queen Thomozile Jezangani Ndwandwe.
“This was after the prayer service that marked one year since the departure of King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu.
“Clearly, Mr. Mbatha had a lot to offer but sadly his life has been cut short. However, he leaves behind an excellent catalogue of Zulu Heritage that will serve as an inspiration to many upcoming photographers.”
Recently, King Misuzulu KaZwelithini remarked on the importance of the preservation of “our heritage and about telling our own stories as the Zulu Nation”.
Prince Africa Zulu of Onkweni, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, said consequently, the King’s Office was currently exploring ways and means of documenting previous and current Zulu heritage content.
“We want these to be used to promote heritage tourism for the benefit of the Zulu Nation,” said Prince Africa.
“To achieve the above, the Office of the King will continue to value the work of historians, producers, writers, and journalists who are specializing in reporting about the Zulu Monarch and the Monarchy.
“In addition, we acknowledge that the work of these practitioners is incomplete without visual presentation of their material by photographers and videographers.
“We, therefore, salute Mr. Mbatha for his sterling work over the years in terms of visual presentation of the activities of the late King and the reigning King. May the departed soul rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) called on Police Minister General Bheki Cele and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to investigate the callous murder of the talented photographer.
“We remain worried about the brutal nature of the crime, which has become the biggest threat to the human rights of citizens of this province,” the ANC said.
“It cannot be correct that more and more citizens feel unsafe in their homes where they should be secure and comfortable.
“We are calling on law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system to investigate this murder and many more others.
“Our prayers are with the family, friends, and his colleagues at Independent Media. And we send our deepest condolences.
“In addition, we call on religious leaders to provide spiritual guidance to the family during this difficult period.”
The ANC said Mbathas untimely death leaves a void that will be difficult to fill in the documentation and dissemination of images that reflect the work of the government and political parties.
